Howard to miss last games with broken toe

• Tweet

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Ryan Howard, who missed the first 84 games this season with an Achilles tendon injury, says he will miss the last five with a broken toe.

Howard cracked a bone in his right big toe Thursday in Philadelphia when he dropped a lead pipe he uses for practice swings on it while standing in the on-deck circle, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Howard, who entered the season with a $125 million contract, had a career low .219 batting average with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs in 71 games this season that has the Phillies sitting in third place in the National League East.

"I know I'm a better hitter than that," MLB.com quoted Howard as saying.

"I'm focused on getting my body back together first."

"I think he's got better years ahead of him," Manager Charlie Manuel said. "I do. But I think it's up to him."

Howard, 32, still owed $105 million over the next four years, is getting married in December.